{"id":1186,"date":"2026-05-25T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/?p=1186"},"modified":"2026-05-24T23:49:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T22:49:11","slug":"two-must-do-hikes-and-one-thing-to-know-before-walking-the-wicklow-way-this-may","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/two-must-do-hikes-and-one-thing-to-know-before-walking-the-wicklow-way-this-may\/","title":{"rendered":"Two must-do hikes and one thing to know before walking the Wicklow Way this May"},"content":{"rendered":"

May in Wicklow is all fresh<\/strong> leaves, long light<\/strong>, and trails that feel newly alive<\/strong> after winter. The air smells of gorse<\/strong>, the hills glow green<\/strong>, and the sea flickers on the distant edge<\/strong> of your map.<\/p>\n

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Walk a little, and the mountains<\/strong> open into broad valleys<\/strong> where skylarks rise and rivers glitter<\/strong>. \u201cThis is Ireland on its best<\/strong> behavior,\u201d one hiker laughed<\/strong>, boots muddy and grin wide<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Here are two walks that catch the season at full tilt<\/strong>, plus the single truth<\/strong> you need before you lace up for the journey<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Djouce from Crone Woods: boardwalks, sea views, and the hum of spring<\/h2>\n

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Start at Crone<\/strong> Woods car park and pick up the familiar waymarks<\/strong> through high forest and out toward the open upland<\/strong>. The path clings to the edge of the Powerscourt valley<\/strong>, where the waterfall thunders far below<\/strong> and the breeze tastes a little like salt<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Soon you reach the bog<\/strong> bridge that leads across White Hill<\/strong>, a wooden ribbon that keeps feet dry and spirits high<\/strong>. \u201cThe boardwalk hums under your boots<\/strong>,\u201d a local once told<\/strong> me, half joke, half truth<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Keep climbing to Djouce<\/strong> and watch the world spill open<\/strong>: the Irish Sea, the Sugarloaf\u2019s neat cone<\/strong>, and the dark sweep of upper Wicklow<\/strong>. In May the hills are loud with birds<\/strong>, the gorse corsage bright<\/strong>, and the wind brisk enough to feel clean<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Figure about 13\u201314 km out-and-back<\/strong>, with steady gain and forgiving underfooting<\/strong> once you\u2019re on the boards<\/strong>. Carry a light layer<\/strong>, because the summit greets you with weather<\/strong>, even on friendly days<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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What sets it apart in May<\/strong> is contrast: sheltered green wood<\/strong>, then a bald, bright ridge<\/strong> rolling to the sea<\/strong>. It\u2019s the Wicklow Way distilled into a single afternoon<\/strong>, equal parts ease and exposure<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Glendalough to Glenmalure: old valleys, high saddles, and a pint at day\u2019s end<\/h2>\n

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Begin in Glendalough<\/strong>, where oak woods hold a sweet shade<\/strong> and bluebells thread the banks<\/strong> of the river. The round towers watch your start<\/strong>, and the lake light looks almost painted<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Climb toward the shoulder of Mullacor<\/strong>, the Wicklow Way\u2019s gentle ramp<\/strong> between two storied valleys<\/strong>. The trail rises past peat-dark springs<\/strong> and heather that\u2019s biding its time<\/strong>, while ravens draw black circles<\/strong> in the sky.<\/p>\n

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From the saddle, the world tilts to Glenmalure<\/strong>, a long glen with battle-heavy history<\/strong> and a pub that seems designed for muddy boots<\/strong>. \u201cI came for the views, stayed for the soup<\/strong>,\u201d a walker quipped<\/strong>, spoon halfway to smile<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Expect around 14\u201316 km point-to-point<\/strong>, with firm waymarking and a rewarding rhythm<\/strong>: up through ancient wood<\/strong>, over open shoulder<\/strong>, down into a valley that feels endless<\/strong>. In May, water runs quick and clear<\/strong>, and the trail carries a kind of calm<\/strong> you\u2019ll want to pocket for a bus ride<\/strong> back.<\/p>\n

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If you need logistics, St Kevin\u2019s<\/strong> Bus links Dublin with Glendalough<\/strong>, and local taxis can bridge your return<\/strong> from Drumgoff or Laragh<\/strong>. Book ahead on bank holiday<\/strong> weekends, because beds fill fast with springtime pilgrims<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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The one thing to know before May: dogs and wildlife come first<\/h2>\n

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Here\u2019s the non\u2011negotiable thing<\/strong>: this is lambing and ground\u2011nesting season<\/strong>. The Wicklow Way crosses farms, Coillte forests<\/strong>, and National Park uplands<\/strong>, and wildlife needs quiet, not well\u2011meant off\u2011lead adventures<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Keep dogs on a short lead<\/strong>, always, or choose to leave them home<\/strong>. Some landowners prohibit dogs<\/strong> entirely, and rangers will ask you to turn back<\/strong> if rules aren\u2019t kept<\/strong>. \u201cOne loose minute can cost a lamb<\/strong> or a nest,\u201d a shepherd once said<\/strong>, not unkindly, just firm<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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This isn\u2019t box\u2011ticking etiquette<\/strong>; it\u2019s the price of shared access<\/strong>. Gates should be closed behind<\/strong> you, stock given wide space<\/strong>, and trails respected like a living line<\/strong>. In return, the hills stay open<\/strong>, and May keeps its gentle music<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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If you\u2019re unsure, check National Park advice<\/strong> and route updates before you go<\/strong>. It takes two minutes<\/strong>, and it saves hard conversations<\/strong> on a stile with a watchful ewe<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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\u2022 Quick pack adds for May: a light shell<\/strong>, a warm layer<\/strong>, 2 liters of water<\/strong>, sun protection<\/strong>, and a simple tick check<\/strong> plan for when the boots come off<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Stand on Djouce with the wind in your teeth<\/strong>, or drift into Glenmalure with legs a little jelly<\/strong> and heart surprisingly light<\/strong>. May makes generous promises<\/strong> in Wicklow, and\u2014if you mind the rules<\/strong>\u2014the trail keeps every last one<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1254,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1186","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-50"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1186","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1186"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1186\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1239,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1186\/revisions\/1239"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1254"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1186"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1186"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1186"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}